MANILA, March 30 – Senator Loren Legarda Friday called on Filipinos to participate in this years Earth Hour, the worlds largest campaign for the planet, on March 31.

As individuals and members of our respective communities, we shape the state of our environment, a reality that translates into a huge responsibility on our part. Participating in the Earth Hour is one way to crystallize norms of conduct to ensure our positive impact on the environment. We, as a nation blessed with abundant natural resources yet threatened by the impacts of climate change, should lead the world in this process, Legarda stressed.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, further encouraged Filipinos to carbon fast during this Lenten season.

Lent is a period of reflection and fasting. We must try to look for ways to reduce our individual carbon emissions. The kind of food we eat, the mode of transportation we take, the generation and our use of energy, our waste management practices, our housing design and materials, and our water consumption, all contribute to carbon dioxide emission, she added.

Most of us make our daily choices based on price, convenience, and expediency. Scarcely do we hear choices being made in consideration of the environment and impact on the climate. This is the crucial change of mindset that I hope will be instilled in us as we observe Lentbeing constantly conscious of the effect of our choices on the Earth we live in, Legarda pointed out.

Legarda outlined several ways to carbon fast, such as patronizing local, plant-based, and in-season foods, considering energy-efficient transport modes like walking, biking, taking public transport, and carpooling whenever possible, using low-wattage appliances, unplugging electronics when not in use, patronizing recycled products, maximizing the use of natural light and wind flow in house design, and build rainwater catchment recycling systems.

I urge Filipinos to adopt this lifestyle as a Lenten resolve. Ultimately, the objective is to help the world manage its ecological assets more judiciously so that humanity can live within the Earths limitations, Legarda said. (PNA) FFC/PR/utb